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Arkansas sees 181 new positive cases of COVID-19 on Sunday

As of Sunday, May 17 Arkansas officials announced 181 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total to 4,759 positive cases in the state.

LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas — As of Sunday, May 17 Arkansas officials announced 181 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total to 4,759 positive cases in the state.

On Wednesday, Gov. Hutchinson announced Arkansas is not ready to enter Phase 2 of reopening the state at this point. 

Key facts to know:

  • 4,759 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Arkansas
  • 85,185 total tests
  • 80,426 negative test results
  • 98 reported deaths
  • 3,590 recoveries

Gov. Hutchinson's COVID-19 press briefing on Saturday (5/16):

Sunday, May 17

According to the Arkansas Department of Health, there is now a total of 4,759 confirmed positive COVID-19 cases in the state, increasing by 181 since Saturday.

Saturday, May 16

1:30 p.m.

Governor Hutchinson announced that an applicant illegally accessed the unemployment system. He was notified Friday night and the system was shut down immediately in order to prevent a data breach.

An investigation is being conducted. If any data is breached, further action will be taken. The site will be back up as soon as it's deemed safe.

Dr. Nate Smith breaks down the 4,578 COVID-19 cases in Arkansas:

  • 1,008 active cases
    • 370 in correctional facilities
    • 101 in nursing homes
    • 591 in community
  • 65 hospitalizations
  • No new deaths
  • 10 on ventilators
  • 3,472 recoveries

___________

Friday, May 15

1:40 p.m.

Dr. Nate Smith breaks down the 4,463 COVID-19 cases in Arkansas:

  • 975 active cases
    • 322 in correctional facilities
    • 102 in nursing homes
    • 551 in community
  • 65 hospitalizations
  • No new deaths
  • 9 on a ventilators
  • 3,390 recoveries
Credit: Arkansas Department of Health
Data source: Arkansas Department of Health

Friday, May 15 is the first day that lodges and state cabins are available and open to the public.

1:30 p.m.

During a press conference, Gov. Hutchinson announced a total of 4,463 coronavirus cases in Arkansas. He said there are 97 new COVID-19 cases in Arkansas.

Of the 97 new COVID-19 in Arkansas:

  • 11 in Jefferson County 
  • 10 in Crittenden County 
  • 9 in Pope County (at a single facility) 
  • 7 in Pulaski County 
  • 6 in St Francis County

There are currently 975 known active cases in the state.

Gov. Hutchinson said as of Monday, all retail stores in Arkansas are open for business, except bars; A decision will be made about reopening bars on that Monday, May 18.

___________

Thursday, May 14

2:45 p.m.

RELATED: Arkansas 'not prepared' to move to Phase 2 of reopening, governor says

Hutchinson said it is not an encouraging sign for quick movement into the second phase of reopening the state after officials have seen large increase of positive cases over the past several days.

"When you see two days of increase in patients and two days of increase in hospitalization, that'll cause you to pause and make sure to remind everyone to be careful," he said.

1:40 p.m.

Dr. Nate Smith breaks down the 4,366 COVID-19 cases in Arkansas:

  • 928 acitve cases
    • 305 in correction (of active) 
    • 522 in community (of active)
  • 69 hospitalizations
  • 10 on ventilators 
  • 3,340 recoveries  
  • 51 nursing homes under investigation
    • 79 total staff

Gov. Hutchinson says Arkansas is not prepared to move to Phase Two on Monday.

Watch Thursday's press conference here:

1:30 p.m.

During a press conference, Gov. Hutchinson announced a total of 4,366 coronavirus cases in Arkansas. There was one additional death in the last 24 hours, bringing the total to 98

He said there are 130 new COVID-19 cases in Arkansas.

Gov. Hutchinson said of the new 130 COVID-19 cases, “they are scattered”:

  • 21 in Union County 
  • 14 in Craighead County 
  • 13 in Pulaski County 
  • 11 in Jefferson County 
  • 10 in Sharp County 

There were 1,991 COVID-19 tests in Arkansas yesterday with a 2.6% positivity rate. Walmart is adding testing sites in West Memphis, Texarkana, Jonesboro, and Hot Springs.

RELATED: Arkansans could soon be tested for COVID-19 without showing symptoms, for free

RELATED: Free COVID-19 testing site opening at Walmart in Hot Springs

_______

Wednesday, May 13

4:15 p.m.

Arkansas Department of Health officials released a map of the amount of active coronavirus cases in each county. You can see the map below.

Credit: Arkansas Department of Health

You can also see the amount of new cases per day, according to Arkansas Department of Health's data below:

Credit: Arkansas Department of Health
Data source: Arkansas Department of Health

1:40 p.m.

Dr. Nate Smith breaks down the 4,236 COVID-19 cases in Arkansas:

  • 862 active cases
  • 3,277 recoveries 
  • 64 hospitalizations
  • 13 on ventilators  
  • 51 nursing homes total
    • 316 nursing home residents 
    • 176 nursing home staff
  • 335 at Forrest City prison 
  • 48 at Randall prison unit (Pine Bluff)

Watch Wednesday's press conference here: 

1:30 p.m.

During a press conference, Gov. Hutchinson announced a total of 4,236 coronavirus cases in Arkansas. There were two additional deaths in the last 24 hours, bringing the total to 97.

He said there are 72 new COVID-19 cases in Arkansas. Pulaski and St. Francis counties have the most active cases with 100+.  

_______

4:30 p.m.

Below you can see the amount of positive COVID-19 cases per day in Arkansas as well as a 14-day moving average:

Credit: KTHV
Data Source: Arkansas Department of Health

1:40 p.m.

Gov. Hutchinson said Arkansas has received the COVID-19 drug Remdesivir, which has enough for 50 patients. Some of the 59 patients hospitalized will not qualify to receive the drug.

Gov. Hutchinson will make an announcement on these openings on the following dates: 

  • May 18 - Bars
  • May 20 - Summer camps and team sports

Dr. Nate Smith breaks down the 4,164 COVID-19 cases in Arkansas:

  • 849 active cases 
  • 95 deaths 
  • 59 hospitalizations
  • 12 on ventilators 
  • 3,220 recoveries 
  • 50 nursing homes with cases
  • 299 nursing home residents 
    • 174 staff
  • 900 Cummins inmates
    • 60 staff

Watch Tuesday's press conference here:

1:30 p.m.

During a press conference, Gov. Hutchinson announced a total of 4,164 coronavirus cases in Arkansas. There was one additional death in the last 24 hours, bringing the total to 95. The state also completed 1,753 tests in the last 24 hours.

He said there are 121 new COVID-19 cases in Arkansas, 21 in correctional facilities and 100 in the community. He said 27 cases are in St Francis County; “This is worrisome because of the number in one county.”

_____

On Monday, Gov. Hutchinson said he's distressed by reports of people in the state not socially distancing because of the coronavirus, but he doesn't regret allowing businesses shuttered by the virus to reopen.

He cited no specific examples, but the Republican governor's comments came after social media posts over the weekend showed crowds and lines at some retailers. Hutchinson said Arkansans need to be disciplined in their social distancing to avoid a resurgence of the virus.

Watch Monday's press conference here:

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